Tai Ji Quan for Mild Cognitive Impairment

Overseen By Fuzhong Li, Ph.D.

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Oregon Research Institute

Disqualifiers: Metastatic cancer, Severe cardiac failure, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 24 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how Tai Ji Quan, a form of exercise, can improve thinking skills and multitasking in older adults with mild memory issues. Participants will engage in either a specially designed Tai Ji Quan routine aimed at boosting brain health or a standard routine focusing on strength and balance. A comparison group will perform light stretching and relaxation exercises. This trial suits individuals experiencing memory loss who are not currently practicing Tai Ji Quan or engaging in vigorous exercise. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative exercise routines that could enhance cognitive health.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that the Tai Ji Quan program, designed to improve brain function in older adults, is generally safe. One study examined the program's safety and found that participants handled it well, with no major reports of unwanted side effects from the exercises.

This indicates that the Tai Ji Quan program is a safe option for older adults seeking to enhance brain function and physical abilities. Prospective participants should discuss it with their doctor before joining. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Tai Ji Quan protocol for mild cognitive impairment because it offers an innovative, non-pharmacological approach to enhancing cognitive function in older adults. Unlike standard treatments that often rely on medication, Tai Ji Quan emphasizes a series of movements specifically crafted to boost cognitive abilities, balance, and mobility. This gentle exercise method not only aims to improve physical well-being but also incorporates dual-task training, which is believed to simultaneously challenge and enhance cognitive processing. By integrating these elements, Tai Ji Quan holds the potential to offer a holistic improvement in both mind and body for individuals experiencing mild cognitive decline.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for mild cognitive impairment?

Research has shown that a special type of Tai Ji Quan, called cognitively enhanced Tai Ji Quan, can greatly improve thinking skills in older adults with mild memory problems. In this trial, participants will join different arms to evaluate the effectiveness of these exercises. Studies have found that cognitively enhanced Tai Ji Quan is more effective than regular Tai Ji Quan and stretching exercises for boosting overall brain function and easing tasks that require multitasking. Additionally, Tai Ji Quan can help with symptoms related to mild memory issues, making it easier for participants to think and remember. These findings suggest that practicing cognitively enhanced Tai Ji Quan could be a promising way to support brain health in older adults. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Fuzhong Li, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Oregon Research Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults with mild cognitive impairment who can safely exercise and have a CDR score ≤0.5 and MMSE ≥24, indicating normal general cognitive function. They must be willing to follow the study's protocol for 24 weeks plus a 6-month follow-up but not already engaged in Tai Ji Quan or similar vigorous physical activities.

Inclusion Criteria

Clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale score ≤0.5

Having normal general cognitive function screened, with MMSE ≥24

My doctor says I can safely exercise.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have any health conditions like severe heart failure or cancer spread that would limit my physical activity or survival.

You have been doing intense physical activities like Tai Ji Quan, brisk walking for 30 minutes or more at a time, or weight lifting on 3 or more days per week for the past 3 months.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in Tai Ji Quan-based exercises designed to improve cognitive function, dual-task ability, strength/balance, and mobility

24 weeks

Regular sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cognitive function, physical performance, and quality of life

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• The Go for Exercise & Healthy Aging Project

Trial Overview The trial tests 'Tai Ji Quan: Moving to Maintain Brain Health,' an exercise program designed to improve overall brain function and the ability to do two things at once (dual-task ability) in older adults with mild cognitive issues.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Cognitively enhanced Tai Ji Quan Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will exercise a series of Tai Ji Quan-based movements with configurations that are specifically designed for older adults to improve cognitive function, dual-task ability, strength/balance, and mobility.

Group II: Standard Tai Ji Quan Active Control 1 Intervention

Serving as an active comparison arm, participants in this intervention will exercise a series of Tai Ji Quan-based movements that are specifically designed for older adults to improve strength/balance, cognitive function, and mobility.

Group III: Stretching Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Serving as a control arm, participants in this intervention will engage in a series of light exercise activities consisting of breathing, stretching, and body relaxation.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon Research Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

87

Recruited

62,600+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37903365/

Clinical Effectiveness of Cognitively Enhanced Tai Ji Quan ... Cognitively enriched tai ji quan therapy was superior to standard tai ji quan and stretching exercise in improving global cognition and reducing dual-task gait ...

2. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2024.1467595/full

The effectiveness of Tai Chi for patients with mild cognitive ... Evidence suggested that Tai Chi can improve cognitive functions and alleviate the accompanying symptoms of MCI in the elderly potentially by ...

3. jwatch.org jwatch.org/na56745/2023/11/27/effectiveness-tai-ji-quan-intervention-cognition

Effectiveness of a Tai Ji Quan Intervention on Cognition In a randomized study, cognitively enhanced tai ji quan improved cognition in community-dwelling older adults with subjective cognitive concerns ...

4. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2828115

Physical Activity Engagement After Tai Ji Quan Intervention ... This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial explores the effect of a 6-month home-based tai ji quan intervention on engagement in ...

5. bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-021-02747-0

A cognitively enhanced online Tai Ji Quan training ... This study examines the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of a newly developed cognitive-enhancing Tai Ji Quan training intervention, delivered via remote ...

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35078407/

A cognitively enhanced online Tai Ji Quan training ... - PubMed This study examines the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of a newly developed cognitive-enhancing Tai Ji Quan training intervention, delivered via remote ...

7. acpjournals.org acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/J24-0001

Cognitively enhanced tai chi improved ... A cognitively enhanced tai chi intervention improved global cognition and dual-task gait ability more than conventional tai chi or stretching exercise at 24 ...

8. breakingmed.org breakingmed.org/article.html?articleid=89762

Tai Ji Benefits Persist in People With Mild Cognitive ... Tai Ji Benefits Persist in People With Mild Cognitive Impairment. Moderate to vigorous activities enhanced 6 months after trial ended.